Jon Stewart defends 'Daily Show' successor Trevor Noah

"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart has defended his successor, comedian Trevor Noah, following a social-media controversy over Noah's comedic tweets that some considered anti-Semitic and anti-women.

"I know there was a large kerfuffle on Twitter," Stewart, 52, said Monday night on his show, "but I can say this, I think, without hesitation: Trevor Noah will earn your trust and respect. Or not," he added jokingly. "Just as I earned your trust and respect. Or did not. Or sometimes earned it and then lost it and then kind of got it back. . . ."

Stewart, who plans to leave the show this year but has not announced a date, added of Noah, 31, "I do hope you give him an opportunity to earn that trust and respect, because my experience with him is that he is an incredibly thoughtful and considerate and funny and smart individual."

Following a week of reruns, Monday was Stewart's first appearance on "The Daily Show" since Noah's appointment was announced March 30.

Noah, a biracial South African who grew up in Soweto, has appeared on "The Daily Show" three times, once each in December, January and March.